Capital Beltway Study

Full Study | Alternatives

High Occupancy Toll (HOT):

The HOT Alternate would provide one additional concurrent flow (no barrier separation) lane per direction for high occupancy vehicles (HOV) to travel free of charge and single occupant vehicles (SOV) to pay a fee .

• Tolls would vary based on traffic conditions or time of day and would be collected using electronic toll collection (ETC), eliminating the need for tollbooths.
• Access into HOT lanes would be provided with or without direct ramp connections. Direct connections would be provided at US 50, I-95, and the two I-270 spurs. Drivers would also be able to access the HOT lane between the direct access interchanges.

This alternate would offer minimal capacity improvement for SOV due to the high projected HOV volumes. Enforcement would be complicated with the implementation of this alternate because it is difficult to differentiate the SOV drivers paying a toll and violators. In addition, there is limited revenue potential for this alternate.

SHA is recommending this alternate not be carried forward for further detailed study.